Despite being widely disliked by many football fans, VAR remains a fixture, and the 2024–25 Premier League season proved another challenging one for both the technology and those who operate it.
In its fifth season in England`s top division, VAR frequently dominated discussions each week. Its involvement – or lack thereof – consistently caused frustration among managers, players, and supporters nationwide.
Every club has begun compiling evidence of instances where they feel VAR decisions have gone against them. Social media platforms amplify these grievances, serving as forums for conspiracy theories about these alleged `injustices`.
It`s undeniable that Premier League officials made numerous mistakes during the 2024–25 campaign. However, thanks to data, we can now identify which clubs were most significantly impacted.
Number of VAR Errors in the 2024–25 Premier League
VAR is authorized to overturn red cards.
VAR errors are officially assessed by the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents Panel (KMI). This panel comprises three former coaches or players, plus one representative each from the Premier League and the refereeing body, Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).
These five panellists vote on critical incidents, evaluating whether VAR should have intervened based on the referee`s initial decision. A decision is deemed correct or incorrect based on a majority vote from this five-person committee.
According to the KMI panel, the 2024–25 Premier League season saw just 18 VAR errors, a notable decrease from 31 in 2023–24. Importantly, not all of these errors directly altered the final result of the matches in which they occurred.
Overview of 2024–25 Premier League VAR Errors by Club
Brentford experienced the most misfortune regarding VAR decisions last season.
Which club suffered most frequently due to VAR in 2024–25? The answer is Brentford, against whom three errors were made, with zero in their favour. Similarly, Bournemouth had two errors adversely affect them and received no favourable calls.
Conversely, Everton were the division`s luckiest team, benefiting from three errors without any going against them. Brighton also had three calls in their favour, although they were also negatively impacted by one error.
It`s often suggested that the league`s `Big Six` receive preferential treatment from officials. Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur both ended the season with a net positive of +1 error difference. The Premier League champions benefited twice but were also on the wrong side of one decision – James Tarkowski of Everton avoiding a straight red for his reckless challenge on Alexis Mac Allister in April.
Neither Chelsea nor Manchester City were involved in any recorded errors last term, a point supporters of both clubs might dispute. Meanwhile, both Manchester United and Arsenal faced disadvantageous decisions. Arsenal had one error against them when Myles Lewis-Skelly was incorrectly sent off at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Manchester United ended the season with two errors against them and one in their favour.
Manchester United`s season was significantly impacted by one of the 18 VAR errors recorded last season. Erik ten Hag was reportedly sacked following the club`s late 2–1 defeat to West Ham United in October. Matthijs de Ligt was wrongly penalised for a perceived foul in the penalty area, leading to Jarrod Bowen scoring the winner from the spot in stoppage time. VAR`s recommendation for referee David Coote to review the incident on the pitch was ultimately deemed incorrect.
